Not with a perfect heart

And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart. 2 Chronicles 25:2

One of the most deepest and heart wrenching revelations a believer could come face to face with, is the divine revelation that they are ticking all the boxes of moral correctness, yet they still will not acquire God’s divine approval. God’s rejects their life sacrifices. The question is: Why do you think God will withhold his consent? Scripture tells us that God withholds his approval because these believers were‘…not with a perfect heart.’

I want you to take a pause and think about that statement for a minute.

Now look at your Christian life and allow the word of God to lead you into an encounter with the revelatory truth found in Matthew 7:21-23, which says:

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Matthew 7:21-23 lets us know that:

1. Accurate prophesies do not make you approved in the eyes of God
2. Casting out devils does not make you approved in the eyes of God
3. Altruism does not make you approved in the eyes of God
4. Church service does not make you approved in the eyes of God
5. Titles and accolades does not make you approved in the eyes of God
6. Moral correctness does not make you approved in the eyes of God
7. Praise and worship does not make you approved in the eyes of God

But a perfect heart can.

If you do not believe me, take a look at the life of David, he was a man who God knew would do all what he asked of him, and despite his short comings. David was a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22)

God looks at the heart.

The heart is recognised by God as the inner self that makes decisions, thinks and expresses emotions ( Psalm 105:25, 1 Peter 1:22 and Amos 2:16, Acts 11:23). The heart reflects a person’s true character and their personality, and it is in the heart, God will see whether the person’s motive towards him are sincere or not, pure or evil, set on him or invested in self, or the world. 1 Samuel 16:7, says ‘ But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.’ This scripture and many more concerning the heart, will cause you to realise that many believers have unaddressed heart issues. It is because of these unresolved heart issues, they end up doing the work of God, but are unable to please God because their motives are not right towards him.

So, what is deemed as an perfect heart?

A perfect heart is a heart that:

• Trusts in the Lord:

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

This type of heart, wholeheartedly trusts God. The person’s faith is unwavering, because it is founded in the life of Christ. This means that no matter what they encounter in life, the person will look upon the Lord for their salvation.

• Is broken:
  “The sacrifices of God are a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalms 51:17

A perfect heart, is a heart that is broken before God and accepted by God. This means that when a person errs, they would acknowledge their mistakes and mourn over them. The person would seek to correct the error of their ways quickly, because of their Godly sorrow. The person mourns concerning their error, because they have acknowledged that they have sinned before the eyes of God.

• Searchable:
  “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”---Psalms 139:23-24

A perfect heart is willing to submit under the watchful eye of the Holy Spirit. This type of heart is open to the Holy Spirit searching it with the truth of the word of God and revealing

its sinfulness. This person wants to be washed by the word of God by the Holy Spirit of God because they desire the Lord.

• Walks in Truth

“And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a PERFECT HEART, and have done, that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying, Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.”—Isaiah 38:3-5

A person who stands and walks in truth, is a person who stands firm in the truth of God’s word. They apply the word of God, in speech and through their actions and they are known to teach the truth plainly.

Today I want you to look at your heart posture before God, and if it is imperfect in anyway. This is the time to repent of your wicked ways and allow God to lead you down the way of everlasting.